Method for controlling managing computer, medium for storing control program, and managing computer

ABSTRACT

A managing computer is provided having an acquiring device for acquiring log information and event information from among a plurality of computers via a network to each other into a common database of the managing computer. A data controller may be provided for storing into the common database of the managing computer, operation definition information used to define a schedule of process operations executed in the plurality of computers in relation to the log information and the event information acquired by the acquiring device. A display device may display the operation definition information in relation to event information related to a process operation defined by the operation defining information with reference to the information stored in the database.

[0001] The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No.09/793,970, filed Feb. 28, 2001; which is a continuation of applicationSer. No. 09/179,091, filed Oct. 27, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,701,the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present application is related to a managing computerconnected to a network to which a plurality of computers are connected,for managing these computers. More specifically, the present inventionis directed to a technique capable of managing administrate operationsexecuted in the respective computers in a batch mode by the managingcomputer.

[0003] Managing computers for managing administrate operations aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,655 entitled to Weng et al., and U.S.Pat. No. 5,642,508 entitled to Miyazawa. The administrate operationsinvolve a job execution process; and a process executed when a specificevent occurs.

[0004] In a large-scaled computer system wherein a plurality ofadministrate operations may be combined with each other to be executed,since definitions as to the respective administrate operations must beseparately performed and also execution results must be independentlyconfirmed, the management for the total computer system can be hardlycarried out.

[0005] More specifically, in a large-scaled computer system, there arecertain possibilities that a plurality of administrate operations whichare executed in combination with each other are executed over aplurality of computers. Under such a circumstance, in order to realize atotal management as a computer system, processed contents as to all ofadministrate operations may be preferably defined and execution resultsthereof may be preferably confirmed by using a single computer, namely asingle managing computer.

[0006] However, in the case that the definitions of the processedcontents and the confirmations of the execution results as to all of theadministrate operations may be performed by one managing computer, sincethe managing computer must be communicated with the respectivecomputers, a specific care should be paid to the network traffics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize sucha computer system to which a plurality of computers are connected. Inthis computer system, a managing computer for managing these computerscan manage administrate operations executed in the respective computersare managed in a batch mode.

[0008] Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to avoidsuch that an extra load is given to a network connecting a managingcomputer group, which is caused by an operation managing computer.

[0009] To achieve the above-described object, there is provided amanaging computer comprising:

[0010] an acquiring device for acquiring log information and eventinformation from any of plural computers connected via a network to eachother, said log information indicating as to whether or not an executionof an operation process is carried out under normal condition, and saidevent information indicating concisely as to whether or not an executionof an operation process is carried out under normal condition;

[0011] a data controller for storing into a database, operationdefinition information used to define a schedule of process operationsexecuted in said plural computers in relation to said log informationand said event information acquired by said acquiring device; and

[0012] a display device for displaying said operation definitioninformation in relation to event information related to a processoperation defined by said operation definition information withreference to the information stored in said database. It is possible toprovide a managing computer, according to a first aspect of the presentinvention, is featured by such a managing computer connected to anetwork to which a plurality of computers are connected, for managingthese computers, comprising:

[0013] acquisition means for acquiring log information indicative of anexecution result of an administrate operation executed in each of thecomputers and also event information indicative of an event occurred inan execution stage of the administrate operation from each of saidcomputers;

[0014] storage means for into a database, operation definitioninformation in which a schedule of the administrate operations executedin the respective computers, and also the log information and the eventinformation acquired by said acquisition means; and

[0015] display means for displaying the operation definition informationrelated to the respective computers in relation to log information andevent information of an administrate operation defined by the operationdefinition information with reference to the information stored into thedatabase by the storage means.

[0016] Also, a managing computer, according to a second aspect of thepresent invention, is featured by such a managing computer connected toa network to which a plurality of computers are connected, for managingthese computers, comprising:

[0017] acquisition means for acquiring log information indicative of anexecution result of an administrate operation executed in each of thecomputers and also event information indicative of an event occurred inan execution stage of the administrate operation from each of saidcomputers;

[0018] storage means for into a database, operation definitioninformation in which a schedule of the administrate operations executedin the respective computers, and also the log information and the eventinformation acquired by said acquisition means; and

[0019] display means for displaying both a region for describing a listof administrate operations defined by the operation definitioninformation related to each of the computers and also another region fordescribing log information of said computer on the same screen withreference to the information stored into the database by the storagemeans. It is possible to display relative information between an eventand event definition information together with either of them.

[0020] Also, a managing computer, according to a third aspect of thepresent invention, is featured by such a managing computer connected toa network to which a plurality of computers are connected, for managingthese computers, comprising:

[0021] definition means for forming in a batch mode both a schedule ofeach of administrate operations and operation definition information inwhich a computer which should execute each of the administrateoperations is defined;

[0022] distribution means for distributing the operations definitioninformation;

[0023] acquisition means for acquiring the operation definitioninformation individually formed by the computers from the respectivecomputers and operation definition information in which a portion of theoperation definition information distributed by the distribution meansand related to the own computer is expanded by the computer from thedistributed operation definition information, and also for acquiring loginformation indicative of an execution result of an administrateoperation executed in each of the computers and also event informationindicative of an event occurred in an execution stage of theadministrate operation from each of said computers;

[0024] storage means for into a database, the operation definitioninformation acquired by the acquisition means, and also the loginformation and the event information acquired by the acquisition means;and

[0025] display means for displaying the operation definition informationrelated to the respective computers in relation to log information andevent information of an administrate operation defined by the operationdefinition information with reference to the information stored into thedatabase by the storage means.

[0026] It should be understood that each of the computers managed by themanaging computer according to the third aspect many expand theoperation definition information of a portion related to the owncomputer from the operation definition information distributed from themanaging computer, and also many convert both the log information andthe event information of the administrate operation executed by the owncomputer into a predetermined common format.

[0027] Also, in the third aspect, the above-explained definition meansmay define such a computer which should execute the administrateoperation by employing predetermined information for indicating all ofthe computers as to the administrate operations to be executed by all ofthe computers.

[0028] Also, in any of the first aspect to the third aspect, theabove-described acquisition means may acquire at regular timing, orpreselected timing a predetermined sort of log information among the loginformation of the respective computers, and further may acquire othersorts of log information when these sorts of log information is requiredto be displayed by the display means.

[0029] Also, in any of the first aspect to the third aspect, the displaymeans may immediately display either all or a portion of the eventinformation acquired by the acquisition means after being acquired.

[0030] It should also be understood in this specification that a“computer” implies not only an apparatus for merely performing acalculation, but also an apparatus for executing a communication processand further various sorts of information process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] For a more better understanding of the present invention,reference is made of a detailed description to be read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings; in which:

[0032]FIG. 1 schematically shows an overall structural diagram of acomputer system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a systemarrangement used to form by a managing computer in operation definitioninformation for defining schedules of administrate operations executedby computers;

[0034]FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a systemarrangement used to manage by the managing computer in both loginformation of administrate operations and event information, executedby the computers;

[0035]FIG. 4 schematically represents a hardware structural diagram ofthe managing computer and the computers;

[0036]FIG. 5 explanatorily indicates a sequential operation fordefining/distributing in a batch mode the operation definitioninformation in the system arrangement of FIG. 1, and another sequentialoperation for acquiring/managing in a batch mode the event informationand the log information in the system arrangements of FIG. 3;

[0037]FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for showing an example of theoperation definition information defined in a batch mode by the managingcomputer;

[0038]FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are explanatory diagrams for indicating anexample of the operation definition information of FIG. 6, which hasbeen expanded;

[0039]FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for representing an example of anintegrated management screen displayed in the managing computer;

[0040]FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams for showing examples ofthe event information displayed in the managing computer;

[0041]FIGS. 10A to 10D are explanatory diagrams for representingexamples of structures of various sorts of tables on a database;

[0042]FIG. 11 is a flow chart for describing a process operation after ajob is ended under abnormal state;

[0043]FIG. 12 is a diagram for indicating a definition of a processoperation after the job is ended under abnormal state; and

[0044]FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining a process operation by themanaging computer which receives a specific event.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] Referring now to drawings, embodiment modes of the presentinvention will be described.

[0046]FIG. 1 schematically indicates an entire arrangement of a computersystem according to an embodiment of the present invention. In thisdrawing, reference numeral 401 indicates a managing computer; referencenumerals 402 to 407 represent computers which constitute subjectsmanaged by the managing computer; and reference numerals 408 to 413 shownetworks.

[0047] In the computer system according to this embodiment, the managingcomputer 401 can form in a batch mode operation definition informationused to define schedules of administrate operations executed in thecomputers 402 to 407, and furthermore the managing computer 401 canmanage in a batch mode both log information indicative of executionresults obtained from the computers 402 to 407, and event informationindicative of events occurred during execution stage.

[0048] As a result, since the managing computer 401 can save theoperation definition information, the log information, and the eventinformation in a database form, this managing computer 401 may refer tothe above-described information, if necessary, and also may displayvarious items related to the above-explained information.

[0049]FIG. 2 schematically represents a system arrangement used to formby the managing computer 401, the operation definition information whichdefines the schedules of the administrate operations executed by thecomputers 402 to 407. It should be understood that although FIG. 2represents only one computer 402 and the managing computer 401 of FIG.1, other computers 403 to 407 may be similarly displayed.

[0050] As indicated in FIG. 2, the managing computer 401 is arranged bya managing application unit 101, a definition information managing unit102, and a database 103.

[0051] The managing application unit 101 contains a definition unit 104and an integrated management screen display unit 105. The batcheddefinition unit 104 forms operation definition information used todefine a schedule of administrate operations executed by the computers402 to 407. The integrated management screen display unit 105 displaysan integrated management screen (will be discussed later) and so on. Thedefinition information managing unit 102 contains a definitioninformation distributing/acquiring unit 106 for distributing theoperation definition information to the computers 402 to 407, and foracquiring the operation definition information from the computers 402 to407. This definition information managing unit 102 stores the operationdefinition information into the database 103, and retrieves/referring tothe operation definition information stored in the database 103.

[0052] As indicated in FIG. 2, each of the computers 402 to 407 isarranged by employing an operation execution unit and an integratedmanagement agent 113. This operation execution unit contains a jobexecution control unit 110, a power supply control unit 111, a printexecution control unit 112 and the like, which execute the administrateoperation defined by the operation definition information.

[0053] The integrated management agent 113 contains a definitioninformation expanding unit 114 and a definition information notifyingunit 115. The definition information expanding unit 114 expandsoperation definition information of a portion related to the owncomputer from the operation definition information distributed from themanaging computer 401. The definition information notifying unit 115notifies to the managing computer 401, the operation definitioninformation related to the own computer and involving also the operationdefinition information individually formed by the own computer.

[0054]FIG. 3 represents a system arrangement in which both loginformation and event information of administrate operations executed bythe computers 402 to 407 are managed in a batch mode by the managingcomputer 401. Although FIG. 3 shows only the managing computer 401 andone computer 402 of FIG. 1, other computers 403 to 407 are similarlyapplied to this computer 402.

[0055] As indicated in FIG. 3, the managing computer 401 is arranged byemploying a managing application unit 101, an event/log managing unit201, and a database 103.

[0056] The managing application unit 101 contains the integratedmanagement screen display unit 105 for displaying the integratedmanagement screen (will be explained later) and so on. The event/logmanaging unit 201 contains the event/log acquiring unit 202 foracquiring the event information and the log information from thecomputers 402 to 407, and retrieves/refers to the event information andthe log information, which are stored in the database 103. Also, theevent/log managing unit 201 stores into the database 103 and outputs tothe integrated management screen display unit 105 as to eventinformation which should be notified in real time to an operationmanager and so on.

[0057] As indicated in FIG. 3, each of the computers 402 to 407 isarranged by employing an operation execution unit and an integratedmanagement agent 113. This operation execution unit contains a jobexecution control unit 110, a power supply control unit 111, a printexecution control unit 112 and the like, which execute the administrateoperation defined by the operation definition information.

[0058] The integrated management agent 113 contains a normalizing unit210 and an event/log notifying unit 211. The normalizing unit 210converts both log information and event information of administrateoperation executed by the own computer into a predetermined commonformat. The event/log notifying unit 211 notifies the normalized loginformation and the normalized event information to the managingcomputer 401.

[0059]FIG. 4 schematically indicates a hardware structure of themanaging computer 401 and the computers 402 to 407.

[0060] As indicated in FIG. 4, each of the computers is arranged byemploying a central processing unit 301, a main storage apparatus 302, anetwork control apparatus 305, a disk control apparatus 307, and adisplay control apparatus 309. The network control apparatus 305controls input/output of data between this network control apparatus 305and a network such as a communication line 303 and a local area network304. The disk control apparatus 307 controls a disk apparatus 306 andalso input/output thereof. The display control apparatus 309 controls adisplay apparatus 308 and also input/output thereof.

[0061] Among the structural blocks of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the database103 is realized on the disk apparatus 306. Other structural blocks arerealized in such a way that a program stored in the disk apparatus 306is loaded by the central processing unit 301 on the main storageapparatus 302. It should be noted that this program may be recorded on,for instance, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and then may be readinto a driver (not shown) to be stored into the disk apparatus 306.

[0062] Referring now to FIG. 5, a description will be made of asequential operation for defining and distributing the operationdefinition information in the system arrangement of FIG. 2.

[0063] As indicated in FIG. 5, in the managing computer 401, thedefinition information managing unit 102 stores into the database 103,the operation definition information defined by the batched definitionunit 104 contained in the managing application unit 101 (step 601). Theoperation definition information stored in the database 103 isdistributed to the computers 402 to 407 at preselected timing by thedefinition information distributing/acquiring unit 106 contained in thedefinition information managing unit 102 (step 602).

[0064] In the computers 402 to 407 to which the operation definitioninformation is distributed, the definition information expanding unit114 owned by the integrated management agent 113 expands operationdefinition information of a portion related to the own computer from thedistributed operation definition information. The definition informationexpanding unit 114 transfers the expanded operation information to theoperation execution unit such as the job execution control unit 110, thepower supply control unit 111, and the print execution control unit 112(step 603). The operation execution unit executes the administrateoperation defined by the respective transferred operation definitioninformation (step 604).

[0065] On the other hand, in the managing computer 401, the definitioninformation distributing/acquiring unit 106 of the definitioninformation managing unit 102 acquires from the computers 402 to 407,the operation definition information related to the computers 402 to 407and also containing the operation definition information individuallyformed in the computers 402 to 407 (step 605). Subsequently, thedefinition information managing unit 102 stores the acquired operationdefinition information into the database 103 (step 606).

[0066] In the case that the integrated screen display unit 105 owned bythe managing application unit 101 displays an integrated managementscreen (will be explained later) in response to a reference requestissued from an operation manager and the like, the operation definitioninformation stored into the database 103 in this manner will beretrieved/referred by the definition information managing unit 102.

[0067] It should be understood that the operation definition informationmay be acquired in such a way that the definition informationdistributing/acquiring unit 106 contained in the definition informationmanaging unit 102 in the managing computer 401 periodically issues acommand to the computers 402 to 407. Alternatively, the acquisition ofthe operation definition information may be realized by such that thedefinition information notifying unit 115 owned by the integratedmanagement agent 113 in the computers 402 to 407 initiatively notifiesthe operation definition information to the managing computer 401 atpreselected timing.

[0068]FIG. 6 shows an example of operation definition information whichis defined by the managing computer 401. In this drawing, referencenumeral 701 shows operation definition information.

[0069] In a definition of the operation definition information 701, a“definition subject 710” corresponds to a portion for defining acomputer to be defined. The definition subject 710 may designate a groupconstituted by a plurality of computers, and a single computer. Asrepresented in FIG. 6, it should be understood that when predeterminedinformation (in this case, “default”) is designated in “definitionsubject 710”, this information implies that all of the computers are thedefinition subjects.

[0070] A “power supply control (711)”corresponds to a portion used todefine an execution schedule of a power supply turning ON/OFF process ofa computer to be defined, and a turning OFF method. A “job executioncontrol (712)” corresponds to a portion used to define a job net on acomputer to be defined, and a job on the job net. In the example of FIG.6, a “job net A” defines that after an execution of a “job A1” has beencompleted, a “job A21” and a “job A22” are executed in a parallelmanner, and then when the executions of both these jobs A21 and A22 arecompleted, a “job A3” is executed.

[0071] As previously explained, since the operation manager and the likedesignate such a computer for executing the schedule of the respectiveadministrate operations and also the respective administrate operationsin the managing computer 401, the operation definition information canbe formed in a batch manner, on which the schedule of the administrateoperation to be executed by the computer is defined.

[0072]FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show an example of the operation definitioninformation 701 of FIG. 6 which is expanded by the computer. In FIG. 7Aand FIG. 7B, there are shown operation definition information 801 to 802which have been expanded in the computers 402 to 407 of FIG. 2. Each ofthe above-described operation definition information 801 and 802 istransferred to the power supply control unit 111 and the job executioncontrol unit 110.

[0073] Next, a sequential operation for acquiring and for managing in abatch mode the event information and the log information in the systemarrangement of FIG. 3 will now be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0074] As indicated in FIG. 5, in such a case that either the eventinformation or the log information notified from the administrateoperation unit is equal to a preselected sort of information whichshould be notified to the managing computer 401, the normalizing unit210 owned by the integrated management agent 113 in each of thecomputers 402 to 407 converts this event, or log information into acommon format to which a discrimination of event/log information isadded. Then, the converted common format is notified by the event/lognotifying unit 211 to the managing computer 401 (step 610).

[0075] In the managing computer 401 to which either the eventinformation or the log information is notified, the event/log acquiringunit 202 owned by the event/log managing unit 201 stores the notifiedevent information, or the notified log information into the database 103(step 611). The log information is related to an abnormal state occurredduring processing operation and includes information related to anabnormal state occurred during processing operation, whereas the eventinformation is such information which is more important and concise thanthe former and necessary to inform to the manager computer in real timeas to an urgent abnormal event occurred in the operation stage to becared for by an operator. As a result, in the case that the eventinformation is notified, it is preferable to immediately display thisevent information on the display apparatus 308 by the integratedmanagement screen display unit 105 owned by the managing applicationunit 101 (step 612). It should also be noted that information may bediscriminated as either log information or event information based upondiscrimination contained in this information. As another embodiment,this information may be discriminated as either log information or eveninformation based upon the path through which this information istransferred.

[0076] As explained above, in the case that the integrated managementscreen display unit 105 owned by the managing application unit 101displays an integrated management screen (will be explained later) inresponse to a reference request sent from the operation manager, boththe event information and the log information stored in the database 103are retrieved/referred by the definition information managing unit 102.

[0077] The notifications of the event information and the loginformation may be preferably realized as to such event information witha high real time characteristic (in particular, event informationindicative of failure) as follows. In the computers 402 to 407, theevent/log notifying unit 211 owned by the integrated management agent113 initiatively notifies the event information to the managing computer401. As to the notification of the log information, in the managingcomputer 401, the event/log acquiring unit 202 owned by the event/logmanaging unit 201 may be realized by regularly issuing a command to thecomputers 402 to 407. Alternatively, the notification of the loginformation may be realized by that in the computers 402 to 407, theevent/log notifying unit 211 owned by the integrated management agent113 initiatively notifies the log information to the managing computer401 at preselected timing.

[0078] Subsequently, referring now to FIG. 8, a description will be madeof one example of an integrated management screen which is displayed bythe integrated management screen display unit 103 owned by the managingapplication unit 101 in the managing computer 401.

[0079] As previously explained, since the operation definitioninformation, the event information, and the log information are storedin the database 103 in the managing computer 401, the operation managerand the like may grasp the operations conditions of the computer systemby utilizing the above-explained information. In other words, within themanaging computer 401, the integrated management screen display unit 105owned by the managing application unit 101 causes the definitioninformation managing unit 102 to retrieve/refer to such informationwhich is required by the operation manager to refer to. Then, thisintegrated management screen display unit 105 forms as integratedmanagement screen by using the retrieved/referred information, anddisplays the formed integrated management screen on the displayapparatus 308. As a result, the operation manager can grasp theoperation condition of the computer system by observing the integratedmanagement screen displayed on the display apparatus 308.

[0080] In FIG. 8, a first screen 501 is an integrated management screenused to confirm computers managed by the managing computer 401 and alsoto confirm a group of these computers. In this example, four sets ofcomputers A to D are indicated. The respective computers A to D aredisplayed as icons. For example, in the first screen 501, the operationmanager double-clicks “computer A (502)” by using a mouse, so that thefirst screen 501 can be transferred to a second screen 503.

[0081] Also, in FIG. 8, the second screen 503 is an integratedmanagement screen used to confirm an operation condition of “computer A(502)”. With respect to the “computer A (502)”, a present job executioncondition (504), a list (505) of a job net whose execution is defined onthe “computer A”, and a list (506) of log information corresponding to apast operation history are displayed in a message form on this secondscreen 503. For example, when the operation manager wants to confirm anoperation condition related to “job net A” on the second screen 503, theoperation manager double-clicks a column related to “job net A” listedin the job net list 505 by using the mouse, so that the second screen503 can be transferred to a third screen 507.

[0082] Also, in FIG. 8, the third screen 507 is an integrated managementscreen related to “job net A” on “computer A”. This integratedmanagement screen indicates such operation definition information onwhich a series of administrate operations are defined as to “computerA”, i.e., “turning ON of power supply (509)”, “execution of job net A(510)”, and “printing of execution result (511)”.

[0083] It should be noted that these administrate operations 509 to 511are displayed as icons. Since a display mode of each of these icons ischanged (for instance, color and shape are changed), various sorts ofconditions may be displayed such as “not yet executed”, “underexecution”, “execution is ended under normal state” and “execution isended under abnormal state”. In this case, when the display modes of therespective icons are changed by the integrated management screen displayunit 105, the latest event information of the corresponding administrateoperations (509 to 511) is preferably acquired by the event/logacquiring unit 202 owned by the event/log managing unit 201.

[0084] For example, when “job net A (501)” is double-clicked by usingthe mouse by the operation manager, the third screen 507 can betransferred to a sixth screen 514.

[0085] Also, in FIG. 8, a fifth screen 512 corresponds to an integratedmanagement screen used to confirm the operation definition informationdisplayed on the third screen (507) in a calendar format. For example,since the operation manager selects menu of “calendar displays” (notshown) on the third screen 507, the third screen 507 can be transferredto the fifth screen 512. In this example, this fifth screen 512 displaysthat the job seen on the third screen is executed on a date 513 of ahatched portion.

[0086] Also, in FIG. 8, a sixth screen 514 is a detailed integratedmanagement screen related to “job net A” on “computer A”. This sixthscreen 514 defines such that as to “job net A”, after an execution of“job A1 (515)” is completed, both “job A21 (516)” and “job A22 (517)”are executed in a parallel manner, and when the executions of both “jobA21 (516)” and “job A22 (517)” are completed, “job A3 (518)” isexecuted.

[0087] It should also be noted that these jobs are displayed as icons.Since a display mode of each of these icons is changed (for instance,color is changed), various sorts of conditions may be displayed such as“not yet executed”, “under execution”, “execution is ended under normalstate”, and “execution is ended under abnormal state”. In this case,when the display modes of the respective icons are changed by theintegrated management screen display unit 105, the latest eventinformation of the corresponding administrate operations (509 to 511) ispreferably acquired by the event/log acquiring unit 202 owned by theevent/log managing unit 201.

[0088] Also, in FIG. 8, a fourth screen 508 corresponds to an integratedmanagement screen used to confirm a log with respect to each of jobnets. For instance, since the operation manager double-clicks a list(506) of the log information on the second screen 503, the second screen503 can be transferred to the fourth screen 508.

[0089] Alternatively, for example, while the operation managerdesignates a column related to “job net A” within the job list 505 byclicking this column by using the mouse, this operation manager selectsmenu of “log display” (not shown). As a result, the second screen 503may be transferred to another screen (not shown) on which only loginformation of “job net A” is displayed.

[0090] It should be understood that when the operation manager selects,for example, the corresponding menu within any of the second screen 504to the sixth screen 514, the present screen may be transferred to otherscreens involving such not-shown screens (event information displayscreen, statistical display screen, operation definition informationupdating screen etc.). It will be possible to click a certain messageshown in screen 508 to additionally display the window 514 or 507 asindicated with arrows.

[0091] As previously explained, in accordance with this embodiment, inthe managing computer 401, the operation definition information relatedto the respective computers is displayed in connection with both the loginformation and the event information of the administrate operationsdefined by this operation definition information. As a consequence theoperation manager can grasp the operation conditions of the computersystem, and furthermore can readily reflect the grasped operationconditions onto a further plan of the operation schedule.

[0092] As previously described, after the event information is notified,the managing computer 401 preferably and immediately displays thisnotified event information on the display apparatus 308. At this time, ascreen displayed in the managing computer 401 is represented in, forinstance, FIG. 9A.

[0093]FIG. 9A represents an example of a screen on which eventinformation of a computer A is displayed as a message among the notifiedevent information. In this drawing, the message is constructed of animportance degree 901 of the event information, day/time 902 to 903 whenthe event is notified, a computer 904 of a notification source, and amessage main body 905.

[0094] The managing computer 401 may display all of the notified eventinformation as a message. Alternatively, as indicated in FIG. 9B, themanaging computer 401 may display only pre-designated sorts of eventinformation. As a pre-designated basis, the following items may beconceived, e.g., an importance degree; a range for a date and a timeinstant; a computer of a notification source; a sort of administrateoperation; and a pattern of a character string contained in eventinformation. The operation manager may designate a sort of eventinformation displayed as a message by either the managing computer 401or the respective computers 402 to 407.

[0095] Then, in the managing computer 401, the event/log managing unit201 judges as to whether or not the notified event information isdisplayed as the message. The event/log managing unit 201 immediatelynotifies to the integrated management screen display unit 105 owned bythe managing application unit 101, such event information which isjudged to be displayed as a message. Then, the integrated managementscreen display unit 105 displays this judged event information.Therefore, for instance, as represented in FIG. 9, only such eventinformation indicative of a failure may be displayed as a message. Itshould be understood that event/log managing unit 201 stores thenotified event information into the database 103 irrespective of such ajudgment result as to whether or not the notified event information isdisplayed as the message.

[0096]FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B represent one example of structures ofvarious sorts of tables on the database 103. In the drawings, referencenumeral 1001 shows an event/log table, and reference numeral 1002indicates an operation definition table.

[0097] The event/log table 1001 is such a table used to store thereintothe events and the log information acquired from the computer by themanaging computer 401 in a time sequence. A single record is arranged by“identifier (1010)” “computer name (1011)”, “time (1012)”, “event/logsort (1013)”, “identifier (1014)”, and “detailed information (1015)”.The identifier 1010 is for the event information and the loginformation. The computer name 1011 is a name of a computer fornotifying this information. The time 1012 is time when this informationis notified. The sort 1013 is the sort of this information. Theidentifier 1014 is an identifier of operation definition information onwhich administrate operation where this information is produced isdefined. In the computer, the information 1010 to 1014 other than thedetailed information 1015 is normalized as the common format commonlyused to all of the event information and the log information by thenormalizing unit 210 owned by the integrated management agent 113.

[0098] As indicated in FIG. 10B to FIG. 10D, an operation definitiontable 1002 is constituted by a common table 1003 arranged by anidentifier 1016 of operation definition information, a name (1017) of acomputer to be defined, and a sort (1018) of operation definitioninformation; and also operation definition detailed tables 1004 to 1005corresponding to the respective sorts (1018) of the operation definitioninformation.

[0099] The operation definition detailed table 1004 related to the powersupply control is arranged by, for example, an identifier (1019) ofoperation definition information; a power supply initiation date (1020);a power supply initiation time (1021); and a power supply turn-OFF date(1022), and also a power supply turn-OFF time (1023). The operationdefinition detailed table 1005 related to the job net is arranged by,for instance, an identifier (1024) of operation definition information;a name (1025) of a job net; a job net initiation date (1026); a job netinitiation time (1027); and a structural job (1028).

[0100] In the managing computer 401, both the definition informationmanaging unit 102 and the event/log managing unit 201 retrieve thetables 1001 to 1004 shown in FIG. 10A to FIG. 10D based on a languageof, for instance, SQL. As a result, the integrated management screendisplay unit 105 owned by the managing application unit 101 can displaysuch a screen as indicated in FIG. 8. In particular, the relationshipamong the event information, the log information, and the operationdefinition information may be established by employing the identifier(1014) of the operation definition information contained in theevent/log table 1001 and the identifiers 1016, 1019., 1024 of theoperation definition information contained in the operation definitiontable 1002.

[0101] It should be noted that when the screen is displayed, in such acase that information required to be displayed is not present in thetables 1001 to 1004 of FIG. 10, the managing computer 401 is operated ina similar manner to that shown in FIG. 5 so as to acquire thisinformation required to be displayed.

[0102] In the case that such information indicative of a failureoccurred in operation conditions of the computer system is notified asan event, this computer system may be operated as follows. First, forexample, when a specific job is accomplished under abnormal state whilea job net is being executed, after removing a factor for causing thisabnormally ended job (e.g., a specific file required to execute a job isnot present), the computer system may instruct that this interrupted jobis restarted. This instruction may be realized as follows. That is, asindicated in FIG. 11, in the managing computer, “reexecution command”for designating “subject computer”, “job net name”, “job name to bereexecuted” is entered (1101); this command is transferred to theabove-explained subject computer (1102) so as to be executed (1103).Secondly, the computer system may instruct this job net to be canceled.This second idea may be realized as follows. That is, as shown in FIG.11, in the managing computer, “cancel command” for designating “subjectcomputer” and “job net name” is entered (1101); this command istransferred to the above-described subject computer (1102) so as to beexecuted (1103). Furthermore, thirdly, when a specific job is endedunder abnormal state while a job net is being executed, a specific joband also a specific job net, by which an abnormal end event ispreviously defined as a trigger, may be executed. This alternativemethod may be realized as follows. That is, as represented in FIG. 12,while the managing computer defines such a process operation whichshould be executed when a specific event is received (1201), when themanaging computer receives this specific event as shown in FIG. 13(1301), this managing computer instructs a subject computer to executethe designated process operation (1302). Then, the subject computer mayexecute this instruction (1303). At this time, the definition of eitherthe job or the job net which should be executed by the subject computermay be transferred to be registered when the instruction is issued.Otherwise, this definition may be previously transferred to beregistered.

[0103] Subsequently, a description will now be made of effects achievedin such a case that the operation definition information, the eventinformation, and the log information are processed in the database formby the managing computer 401 to be stored.

[0104] As a first effect, a network traffic can be reduced. Inaccordance with the present invention, since the operation definitioninformation, the event information, and the log information are storedin the database form by the managing computer 401, the managing computer401 need not acquire the necessary information from the computer everytime the operation manager and the like refer to these information.

[0105] For instance, in the network structure of FIG. 1, when loginformation of 1 K bytes is acquired from each of the six computers 402to 407 by the managing computer at a frequency of 1,000 messages/day, anetwork traffic of 6 M bytes/day is produced. In the case that the loginformation is referred by the operation manager at a frequency of 10times/day, a network traffic of 60 M bytes/day in total is produced.

[0106] Furthermore, as to such log information with a low demand of areal-time characteristic, if such log information is collected withinsuch a time range where the normal network traffic is low, for example,in a night time range, the network traffic reduction effect can beapparently achieved.

[0107] As a second effect, since the operation definition information,the event information, and the log information are stored in thedatabase form by the managing computer 401, as represented in theintegrated management screen of FIG. 8, there is another effect that theabove-explained information can be readily displayed in variousrelationship aspects.

[0108] In the computer system according to this embodiment, thecomputers 402 to 407 are set to be defined in a batch mode by themanaging computer 401. However, it is conceivable that other computerswhich do not constitute a definition subject are connected to thenetworks 408 to 413. In this case, as a method for recognizing a subjectcomputer to be managed by the managing computer 401, for example, thereis a method for automatically detecting the integrated management agent113 assembled into the computer by using, for example, a broadcastingmethod. As another method, a subject computer to be defined may bepreviously defined on the managing computer 401.

[0109] Also, in accordance with the computer system according to thisembodiment, the operation definition information in which the scheduleof the administrate operations executed by the computers 402 to 407 isdefined can be formed in a batch mode by the managing computer 401, andfurthermore both the log information and the event information of theadministrate operations executed by the computers 402 to 407 can bemanaged by the managing computer 401, resulting in better results.Alternatively, if at least both the log information and the eventinformation can be managed, then the operation manager may grasp theoperation condition of the computer system.

1 (canceled).
 2. A managing computer to be connected to a plurality ofmanaged computers via a network, said managing computer comprising: anetwork interface to be connected to the network; and a processing unitto be connected to the network interface, wherein said processing unitsends to the managed computers, via the network interface, definitioninformation including information that has been set defining details ofa plurality of jobs included in a group of jobs to be executed by themanaged computers and an identifier of the definition information,receives, via the network interface, result information resulting fromexecution of each job by one of the managed computers, said resultinformation including an identifier of the job executed by the managedcomputer, and displays on a display said result information resultingfrom execution of each of said jobs included in said group of jobsaccording to said definition information.
 3. A managing computeraccording to claim 2, wherein each job for a respective managed computeris performed after a power ON condition and before a power OFF conditionof the respective managed computer.
 4. A managing computer according toclaim 2, wherein said processing unit selects result informationresulting from execution of a pre-designated job.
 5. A managing computeraccording to claim 2, wherein said processing unit selects resultinformation resulting from execution of said jobs having a pre-definedpattern.
 6. A managing computer according to claim 2, wherein saiddefinition information includes information defining a schedule forexecuting said jobs.
 7. A managing computer according to claim 2,wherein said definition information includes information designatingwhich managed computer is to execute which one of said jobs.
 8. Amanaging computer to be connected to a plurality of managed computersvia a network, said managing computer comprising: a network interface tobe connected to the network; and a processing unit to be connected tothe network interface, wherein said processing unit sends to the managedcomputers, via the network interface, definition information includinginformation that has been set defining details of a plurality of jobsincluded in a group of jobs to be executed by one of the managedcomputers and an identifier of the definition information, receives, viathe network interface, result information resulting from execution ofeach job by one of the managed computers, said result informationincluding an identifier of the job executed by the managed computer, anddisplays on a display said result information resulting from executionof each of said jobs included in said group of jobs according to saiddefinition information.
 9. A managing computer according to claim 8,wherein each job for a respective managed computer is performed after apower ON condition and before a power OFF condition of the respectivemanaged computer.
 10. A managing computer according to claim 8, whereinsaid processing unit selects result information resulting from executionof a pre-designated job.
 11. A managing computer according to claim 8,wherein said processing unit selects result information resultingexecution of said jobs having a pre-defined pattern.
 12. A managingcomputer according to claim 8 wherein said definition informationincludes information defining a schedule for executing said jobs.
 13. Amanaging computer according to claim 8, wherein said definitioninformation includes information designating which managed computer isto execute said jobs.
 14. A method of managing a plurality of managedcomputers via a network, said method comprising the steps of: sending tothe managed computers definition information including information thathas been set defining details of a plurality of jobs included in a groupof jobs to be executed by the managed computers and an identifier of thedefinition information; receiving result information resulting fromexecution of each job by one of the managed computers, said resultinformation including an identifier of the job executed by the managedcomputer; and displaying on a display said result information resultingfrom execution of each of said jobs included in said group of jobsaccording to said definition information.
 15. A method according toclaim 14, wherein each job for a respective managed computer isperformed after a power ON condition and before a power OFF condition ofthe respective managed computer.
 16. A method according to claim 14,further comprising the step of: selecting result information resultingfrom execution of a pre-designated job.
 17. A method according to claim14, further the steps of: selecting result information resulting fromexecution of said jobs having a pre-defined pattern.
 18. A methodaccording to claim 14, wherein said definition information includesinformation defining a schedule for executing said jobs.
 19. A methodaccording to claim 14, wherein said definition information includesinformation designating which managed computer is to execute which oneof said jobs.
 20. A method of managing a plurality of managed computersvia a network, said managing computer comprising the steps of: sendingto the managed computers definition information including informationthat has been set defining details of a plurality of jobs included in agroup of jobs to be executed by one of the managed computers and anidentifier of the definition information; receiving result informationresulting from execution of each job by one of the managed computers,said result information including an identifier of the job executed bythe managed computer; and displaying on a display said resultinformation resulting from execution of each of said jobs included insaid group of jobs according to said definition information.
 21. Amethod according to claim 20, wherein each job for a respective managedcomputer is performed after a power ON condition and before a power OFFcondition of the respective managed computer.
 22. A method according toclaim 20, further comprising the step of: selecting result informationresulting from execution of a pre-designated job.
 23. A method accordingto claim 20, further comprising the steps of: selecting resultinformation resulting from execution of said jobs having a pre-definedpattern.
 24. A method according to claim 20, wherein said definitioninformation includes information defining a schedule for executing saidjobs.
 25. A method according to claim 20, wherein said definitioninformation includes information designating which managed computer isto execute said jobs.
 26. A computer system comprising: a network; amanaging computer; and a plurality of managed computers, wherein saidmanaging and managed computers are connected to each other by saidnetwork, and wherein said managing computer comprises: a networkinterface to be connected to the network, and a processing unit to beconnected to the network interface, wherein said processing unit sendsto the managed computers, via the network interface, definitioninformation including information that has been set defining details ofa plurality of jobs included in a group of jobs to be executed by themanaged computers and an identifier of the definition information,receives, via the network interface, result information resulting fromexecution of each job by one of the managed computers, said resultinformation including an identifier of the job executed by the managedcomputer, and displays on a display said result information resultingfrom execution of each of said jobs included in said group of jobsaccording to said definition information.
 27. A computer systemaccording to claim 26, wherein each job for a respective managedcomputer is performed after a power ON condition and before a power OFFcondition of the respective managed computer.
 28. A computer systemaccording to claim 26, wherein said processing unit selects resultinformation resulting from execution of a pre-designated job.
 29. Acomputer system according to claim 26, wherein said processing unitselects result information resulting from execution of said jobs havinga pre-defined pattern.
 30. A computer system according to claim 26,wherein said definition information includes information defining aschedule for executing said jobs.
 31. A computer system according toclaim 26, wherein said definition information includes informationdesignating which managed computer is to execute which one of said jobs.32. A computer system comprising: a network; a managing computer; and aplurality of managed computers, wherein said managing and managedcomputers are connected to each other by said network, and wherein saidmanaging computer comprises: a network interface to be connected to thenetwork, and a processing unit to be connected to the network interface,wherein said processing unit sends to the managed computers, via thenetwork interface, definition information including information that hasbeen set defining details of a plurality of jobs included in a group ofjobs to be executed by one of the managed computers and an identifier ofthe definition information, receives, via the network interface, resultinformation resulting from execution of each job by one of the managedcomputers, said result information including an identifier of the jobexecuted by the managed computer, and displays on a display said resultinformation resulting from execution of each of said jobs included insaid group of jobs according to said definition information.
 33. Acomputer system according to claim 32, wherein each job for a respectivemanaged computer is performed after a power ON condition and before apower OFF condition of the respective managed computer.
 34. A computersystem according to claim 32, wherein said processing unit selectsresult information resulting from execution of a pre-designated job. 35.A computer system according to claim 32, wherein said processing unitselects result information resulting execution of said jobs having apre-defined pattern.
 36. A computer system according to claim 32,wherein said definition information includes information defining aschedule for executing said jobs.
 37. A computer system according toclaim 32, wherein said definition information includes informationdesignating which managed computer is to execute said jobs.